Wesson gets good audit for 2016

Published 2:09 am Thursday, April 6, 2017

Wesson’s Board of Aldermen approved their 2016 audit report Tuesday.

The total receipts, disbursements and charges came to $1,007,336 for the general fund and $820,297 for the water and sewer fund.

Independent Auditor Charles Hart presented a recording of all receipts, which showed that the board went over $250,000 in the general fund. They were within budget for the water and sewer fund.

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“The bottom line figures are a little inflated over normal income due to the HUD grant for $382,078, and the MDA water grant for $250,000 that are listed,” Mayor Alton Shaw said. “These were non-recurring grant funds we were able to secure through federal and state grants that respectively renovated City Hall to meet all ADA accessibility standards and refurbished and painted the water tank at Co-Lin.”

Hart said the disbursements were broken down by areas — general, government, several areas of public safety, enterprise fund and the water and sewer fund — for the board.

“The highlights of the cash receipts were the grants of a sizable amount. Two grants, a federal grant for City Hall which was a little over $380,000 and a state grant of $250,000 for the water tank renovation,” Hart said. “There was also the bond issue for $350,000. Those were the three big sources of revenue that are typically not referable.”

Hart said major expenditures were related to the above amounts. He said the board did not use grant money to complete the playground, but they did get some reimbursements after the audit report. He said the board would get total taxes in all funds, which equaled to $619,294.

“I am proud of the fiscally conservative management this administration has overseen, as shown by our yearly audit report,” Shaw said.

City clerk resigns

Aldermen approved the resignation of Linda Dykes.

Her last day will be June 30.

Dykes has served as city clerk for almost 23 years and is looking forward to retirement.

Shaw said they are already interviewing potential candidates and plan to have someone selected soon to start the necessary training before Dykes leaves.

In other business:

• The Board of Aldermen approved the street closures for Founders Day, which will be held April 28-29. Wesson Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Ashley said they are want to bring back talented Wesson residents to perform during the event.

• Aldermen approved the resignation of two part-time officers, Percy Calhoun and Brian Magee.

• Aldermen approved the purchase of two radios for Wesson Police Department. Police Chief Chad O’Quinn said transitioning from their current radio system will effectively bring their department in line with most of their surrounding agencies and give them the ability to communicate with them. 

• Aldermen approved the sale of surplus property including trucks, a tractor and a backhoe to the highest bidders.